Shingle-gage.



No. 683,456. Patented Oct. l, l90l. J. F.' FISHER.

SHINGLE GAGE.

(Apph aton fildDe 15 1900 (No Model.)

"m: norms PETERS ca, mom-Lima, WASHINGYON, o c.

JOHN F. FISHER, OF HAMLETSBURG, ILLINOIS.

SHlNGLE-GAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 683,456, dated October 1, 1901.

Application filed December 15, 1900. $erial No. 40,013. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN F. FISHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamletsburg, in the county of Pope and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shingle-Gages, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to shingle-gages, the object being to provide a device of this character which may be easily adjusted both with relation to the length of the shingles and the distance between the layers or rows thereof.

The invention comprises a plurality of frames each independently adjustable and provided with improved means for maintaining them in parallel relation.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and its novel features will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of ashingle-gageembodyingtheinvention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, the arm being shown in elevation; and Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1.

The gage consists of a plurality of independent frames of different lengths, three of said frames being shown in the drawings, although two of such frames would constitute an operative gage. Each of said frames comprises an upper bar 1, as placed by itself on the roof, a plurality of parallel arms 2, projecting from one side of the bar 1, a lower bar 3, blocks 4, projecting upwardly from said bar 3 and formed with recesses 5, through which the ends of the arms 2 extend, and thumb-screws (3, extending through threaded openings in the blocks t to impinge against washers '7, which are interposed between the upper surfaces of the arms 2 and the upper wall of the recesses 5 formed in the blocks 4. Each of the bars 1 is formed on its upper surface with a groove 8, extending throughout the length of the bar and adapted to receive lips 9, projecting from the bar 3 of the next adjacent frame, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The bar 3 of the longest or lowermost frame of the gage is provided with plates 10, which are secured to the under surface of the bar below the blocks 4, and each of said plates is formed with a downwardly-bent lip 11. From the under surface of each of the arms 2 of the lowermost frame projects a pin or prong12.

The utility of the gage may be described as follows: After the first row of shingles is secured in position the longest or lowermost frame is laid thereon, with the lips 11 engaging the lower edges of the shingles, and by pressing down the arms 2 of the frame the pinsl2 are caused to engage the shingles to support the lower frame in place. By means of the thumb-screws 0 the distance between the bars 1 and 3 may be regulated, and to facilitate its adjustment one side of each of the arms 2 is provided with a graduated scale, as shown in Fig. 2. The second frame is then laid upon the lower frame, the lips 9, projecting from the bar 3, entering the groove 8 in the bar 1. The upper edge of the bar 1 of the second frame is then in position to serve as a guide, against which the butt-ends of the shingles are placed to insure the proper spacing of the rows. If the third frame is employed, its lips 9 enter the groove 8 of the second frame in the position shown in Fig. 1.

The lower frame of the device constitutes the stationary member thereof and the other frame or frames may be readily moved in longitudinal direction, the grooves or groove 8 serving as guideways for the projecting lips 9.

It will be apparent that the bars 1 and 3 may be quickly adjusted with relation to each other by loosening the thumb-screws 6.

By the use of my improvement the necessity for marking the rows of shingles with a chalk-line is avoided and the laying of shingles in accurately-spaced rows is efiectually accomplished.

I claim- 1. A shingle-gage comprising a plurality of frames, each consisting of parallel bars adj ustably connected together, one of said bars being formed with a longitudinal groove on its upper surface to permit the next adjacent frame to be adjustably connected therewith.

2. A shingle-gage comprising a plurality of frames, each consisting of parallel bars; recessed blocks projecting from one of said bars; parallel arms projecting from the other bar and extending through the recesses of said blocks; and means for adjustably secu ring said frames together.

3. A shingle-gage comprising a plurality of frames, each consisting of two parallel bars, one of which is formed on its upper surface with a longitudinal groove; means for securing said bars together adjustably consisting of recessed blocks projecting from one of the bars; parallel arms projecting from the grooved bar and extending through the recesses of said blocks; and thumb-screws for clamping said arms within the recesses of the blocks.

4. In a shingle-gage, a frame consisting of parallel bars, one of which is formed on its upper surface with a longitudinal groove; re-

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 7 in presence of two Witnesses.

r JOHN F. FISHER. Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. THoMPsoN, HARRY SIM. 

